By: Rusty Brooks
In May, the City Council slashed the Parks Department’s budget by $84 million to help close a $9 billion revenue shortfall created in part by the coronavirus lockdown’s obliteration of the Big Apple’s economy, the NY Post reported.
As a result, the parks have seen steady deterioration and locals are not happy.
Visitors to some city parks have posted pictures on social media of poor conditions, including garbage and maintenance issues.
Pix11 reported: Neighbors at Woodtree Playground along 20th Avenue in Astoria said the basketball court floods when it rains, and a clogged drain keeps the water hanging around. The COVID-19 pandemic has created equipment delays in parks citywide.
Hundreds of seasonal Park’s and Recreation workers jobs were slashed as the new budget cuts kicked in July 1st.
Not only are there plumbing issues, general sanitation is being neglected. New Yorkers report, filled trash cans overflowing, liquor bottles all over the ground, overgrown grass, and heaps of garbage everywhere
The NY Post reported: “I used to love coming here because it’s usually not so crowded, but I’m shocked by the bad shape it’s in,” said Benny Einhorn, 19, who was visiting Friends Field in the Mapleton section of Brooklyn. “Who wants to spend time in a park that looks like a garbage dump?”
Last week following the collapse of a pathway along the East River Esplanade and numerous concerns from New Yorkers, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) is formally requesting that New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver open a full inspection of the structural integrity of the East River Esplanade.
“Like many NY-12 residents and members of Community Board 8, I was disturbed to see a sinkhole erupt in the middle of a busy pathway along the East River Esplanade. Not only has this sinkhole prevented New Yorkers from accessing this precious green space, but it has also forced cyclists and pedestrians to share narrow patches of pavement — creating a dangerous bottleneck.
“I remain committed to improving the esplanade and providing much-needed repairs. NYC Parks are integral to the well-being of our city, and we must ensure that they continue to be safe and accessible for all New Yorkers”, Congresswoman Maloney stated after her meeting with Silver.
